MBB: 'Riders can get shots to fall vs. Jasper
during Tuesday night's game against Kirbyville. (Photo by Ray
Jackson)
The Center Roughriders suffered through their worst shooting performances Friday night and it cost them in this District 18-3A matchup as they hit only 20% (14-of-70) from the field in a 47-40 setback in Roughrider Gymnasium to the front-running Jasper Bulldogs.
The loss dropped the 'Riders to 7-16 on the season and evened the squad's league mark at 2-2. Jasper sat in first place in the district after the decision, improved to 4-1 in the league. Other results Friday night included Hudson hanging on to defeat Central, 66-61, in overtime and Huntington outlasting Kirbyville, 49-31.
Only one Center player was able to reach double-digit scoring in the contest, with Johnny Sudds converting 3-of-8 from the field for 10 points. Jercarius Berry hit only 3-of-14 shots, scoring eight points, DeJalen Preston threw in seven and Tony McCollister and Myles Netherly had four points each.
Miguel Johnson III scored three points for CHS, with Jakiel Johnson and Darron Bolton dumping in two points apiece.
Center took care of the ball, turning it over only 16 times on the night, while forcing 22 turnovers by the Bulldogs. Both teams totaled 38 rebounds.
McCollister was the leading rebounder for Center with eight, while Sudds added seven, Johnson pulled down six, and Augustine Johnson, Bolton and Preston each grabbing three rebounds.
The 'Riders also struggled at the line, converting only 10-of-20 (50%) from the charity stripe.
The contest was low scoring throughout, with Jasper grabbing a slim 8-7 lead after the opening period and extending it slightly to 22-19 at the break.
The 'Riders made a short run in the third quarter forcing a 31-31 tie entering the fourth. But Center scored just nine points in the final period and came up short as the Bulldogs threw in 12.
In District 18-3A games coming up on Friday, the Roughriders will travel to Hudson to face the Hornets in what is always a key league matchup. Central will host Huntington and Diboll will visit Kirbyville. Diboll has the open date in league play.